JERMAIN DEFOE scored from the spot to break Martin Chivers record and become Tottenham's all-time leading goalscorer in European competition as Spurs beat Sheriff Tiraspol 2-1 at White Hart Lane this evening.

Jermain Defoe is Tottenham's all-time leading European goalscorer [STUART ROBINSON]

Defoe may have stolen the headlines, but it was Erik Lamela who really impressed for the home side opening the scoring before mesmerising the Sheriff defence to earn the penalty that allowed Defoe to break the record.

Spurs dominated the first half but Sheriff were able to create chances throughout the match and pulled a goal back in the 72nd minute through Ismail Isa.

Tottenham started brightly and Mousa Dembele threatened to break the deadlock in just the seventh minute with an excellent shot that brought a fine save from Vjekoslav Tomic.

Lamela could have had a penalty in the 22nd minute, losing his balance as he went past Djibril Paye and stumbling before falling to the ground but referee Kenn Hansen waved play on.

Sheriff got more into the game as the half went on and rattled the post in the 26th minute, after Isa's shot had deflected off the legs of Younes Kaboul.

Two minutes later sloppy play from Christian Eriksen presented Sheriff with another chance, but Ricardinho pulled his shot just wide from 20 yards when he should have done better.

Erik Lamela was impressive for Spurs [STUART ROBINSON]

Jermain Defoe stole the headlines, but it was Erik Lamela who really impressed for Spurs

Right before the break Defoe was set up by Gylfi Sigurdsson but somehow managed to completely miss his kick and Sheriff's quick counter attack was snuffed out by Kaboul as Hansen blew for half-time.

Spurs pushed on to start the second half and Eriksen forced Tomic into another good save from 25 yards in the 57th minute.

Three minutes later the Dane's chipped pass into the penalty area came off the back of a Sheriff defender and Lamela reacted quickest to score his first goal for his new club and put Spurs in front.

Buoyed by his goal Lamela tormented the Sheriff defence and went on a mazy run in the 66th minute, getting hacked down and earning the penalty which Defoe calmly converted.

Sheriff pulled one back in the 72nd minute when Brad Friedel parried a shot from distance and Isa reacted quickest to prod the loose ball home but it proved to be no more than a consolation for the Moldovan side.

Tottenham now top of Group K and are assured of their place in the last 32, with Anzhi Makhachkala five points back in second place.